U.S. patent number 4,568,587 [Application Number 06/305,445] was granted by the patent office on 1986-02-04 for roll-up floor mat with rigid rails.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Balco, Inc.. Invention is credited to Claude P. Balzer.
United States Patent |
4,568,587 |
Balzer |
February 4, 1986 |
Roll-up floor mat with rigid rails
Abstract
A floor mat including a plurality of rigid, elongated rails each
having a side edge positioned in substantially parallel, spaced
relationship to a respective side edge of an adjacent rail. A
passageway opens inwardly from each rail side edge and includes an
outer portion adjacent the side edge and an inner portion. The
passageway inner portions have greater cross-sectional dimensions
than the passageway outer portions. Each pair of adjacent rails is
interconnected by an elongated, flexible hinge member which
comprises a pair of opposite, spaced flanges extending
longitudinally with respect to the hinge member. The flanges are
interconnected by a web having a cross-sectional thickness less
than a cross-sectional thickness of each of the flanges. The hinge
member flanges are each slidably received in a respective
passageway inner portion. The hinge member is adapted to maintain
the rails in a substantially parallel, predetermined spacing and to
bend transversely with respect to the rails thereby allowing
transverse angular displacement of the rails relative to each
other.
Inventors: |
Balzer; Claude P. (Wichita,
KS) |
Assignee: |
Balco, Inc. (Wichita,
KS)
|
Family
ID: |
23180819 |
Appl.
No.: |
06/305,445 |
Filed: |
September 25, 1981 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
428/52; 428/192;
428/58; 428/85; 52/177; 52/71 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47L
23/26 (20130101); E04F 19/10 (20130101); Y10T
428/24777 (20150115); Y10T 428/169 (20150115); Y10T
428/192 (20150115) |
Current International
Class: |
A47L
23/26 (20060101); A47L 23/00 (20060101); E04F
19/00 (20060101); E04F 19/10 (20060101); E04C
001/30 (); E04F 015/16 () |
Field of
Search: |
;15/217,215,238,239
;52/71,177,181,586 ;428/62,85 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Thibodeau; Paul J.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Schmidt, Johnson, Hovey &
Williams
Claims
What is claimed and desired to secure by Letters Patent is:
1. A floor mat which comprises:
(a) a plurality of rigid, elongated rails each including:
(1) a pair of opposite side edges, at least one of said side edges
being positioned in mutually opposed, substantially parallel spaced
relationship to a respective side edge of an adjacent said
rail;
(2) a pair of elongated passageways extending longitudinally
through said rail, each said passageway having an outer portion
open at a respective said side edge and an enlarged inner
portion;
(3) an upper tread surface; and
(4) a uniform, continuous cross-sectional configuration; and
(b) a plurality of elongated, flexible hinge members each
interconnecting a respective adjacent pair of said rails at their
side edges, each of said hinge members including:
(1) a web with opposite side margins; and
(2) a pair of opposite spaced flanges each integrally attached to
said web at a respective web side margin;
(3) each said flange being slidably received in a respective
passageway inner portion and said web side margins each being
slidably received in a respective passageway outer portion;
(c) said flexible hinge members being adapted to allow vertical
displacement of said rails with respect to each other when said
floor mat is walked on;
(d) said flexible hinge members maintaining said rails in uniform,
spaced relation with said floor mat in a flat configuration;
(e) said flexible hinge member webs being adapted to bend
transversely about longitudinal axes thereof whereby said floor mat
is adapted to be rolled up by folding said rails with respect to
each other.
2. The floor mat as set forth in claim 1 which includes:
(a) each said rail having a channel opening onto an upper tread
surface associated therewith; and
(b) a plurality of carpet strips each positioned in a respective
channel and extending longitudinally of a respective rail.
3. The floor mat as set forth in claim 2 which includes:
(a) each said channel including:
(1) a bottom surface;
(2) a pair of opposed side walls; and
(3) a pair of opposed lips each extending inwardly from a
respective side wall in spaced relation from said bottom surface
whereby each said channel includes a pair of opposed,
inwardly-opening slots; and
(b) each said carpet strip including a backing with opposite side
margins each received in a respective inwardly-opening slot whereby
said carpet strip is retained in said channel.
4. The floor mat as set forth in claim 3 wherein:
(a) each said carpet strip backing is adhesively attached to a
respective channel bottom surface.
5. The floor mat as set forth in claim 1 which includes:
(a) a pair of elongated threshold members each having an inner edge
attached to a respective rail and an outer edge, each said
threshold member having a cross-sectional configuration tapered
from said inner edge to said outer edge and an upper surface
sloping downwardly from said inner edge to said outer edge.
6. The floor mat as set forth in claim 5 wherein:
(a) said pair of threshold members comprise lengthwise threshold
members;
(b) a transverse pair of threshold members;
(c) said threshold members surrounding said floor mat and
comprising a flexible, resilient material.
7. The floor mat as set forth in claim 1 which includes:
(a) said floormat being adapted for being recessed into a floor
surface;
(b) a frame adapted for being recessed into said floor surface and
surrounding said floor mat; and
(c) said rail upper tread surfaces being adapted for being
substantially flush with said floor surface.
8. The floor mat as set forth in claim 1 which includes:
(a) each said rail having a lower surface; and
(b) said floor mat being placed on a support surface; and
(c) a plurality of elastomeric cushioning strips each attached to a
respective rail lower surface and adapted for spacing said lower
surface above said support surface.
9. The floor mat as set forth in claim 1 which includes:
(a) each said hinge member having a plurality of longitudinally
spaced cut-outs extending through said web.
10. The floor mat as set forth in claim 1 which includes:
(a) a pair of opposite, flexible elongated threshold members each
having a side edge and being attached to a respective rail side
edge;
(b) each said threshold member having a threshold flange extending
longitudinally of said threshold side edge in spaced relation
therefrom and slidably received in a respective passageway inner
portion and a threshold web extending between said threshold side
edge and said threshold flange, said threshold web being slidably
received in said passageway outer portion whereby said threshold
member is attached to said rail with said threshold member said
edge and rail side edge in mutually opposed relationship.
11. The floor mat as set forth in claim 1 which includes:
(a) each of said rails having a channel opening onto an upper
surface associated therewith; and
(b) a plurality of elongated strips comprising a fibrous material
each positioned in a respective channel.
12. A floor mat which comprises:
(a) a plurality of rigid, elongated rails each including:
(1) a pair of opposite side edges, at least one of said side edges
being positioned in mutually opposed, substantially parallel spaced
relationship to a respective side edge of an adjacent one of said
rails;
(2) a passageway opening inwardly from each said rail side edge and
extending parallel to said side edge for the length of said rail
associated therewith, each said passageway having an outer portion
at said side edge and an enlarged inner portion within said
rail;
(3) an upper tread surface;
(4) a channel opening onto said rail upper tread surface and having
a bottom surface, a pair of opposed side walls and a pair of
opposed lips each extending inwardly from a respective side wall in
spaced relation from said bottom surface thereby defining a pair of
opposed, inwardly-opening slots; and
(5) a uniform, longitudinally continuous cross-sectional
configuration;
(b) a plurality of elongated, resilient, flexible hinge members
interconnecting each adjacent pair of said rails at their side
edges, each of said hinge members including:
(1) a web with opposite side margins; and
(2) a pair of opposite, spaced flanges each integrally attached to
said web at a respective web side margin;
(3) said hinge member being thicker at said flanges than at said
web;
(c) each said flange being slidably received in a respective
passageway inner portion and said web side margins each being
slidably received in a respective passageway outer portion;
(d) a plurality of carpet strips each positioned in a respective
channel and including:
(1) a backing with opposite side margins each received in a
respective inwardly-opening slot whereby said carpet strip is
retained in said channel; and
(2) a fibrous pile attached to said carpet backing and extending
upwardly therefrom above the level of said upper tread surface;
and
(e) a pair of opposite flexible elongated threshold members each
attached to a respective rail side edge, each said threshold member
including:
(1) a threshold side edge;
(2) a threshold flange extending longitudinally of said threshold
side edge in spaced relation therefrom and slidably received in a
respective passageway inner portion; and
(3) a threshold web extending between said threshold side edge and
said threshold flange, said threshold web being slidably received
in said passageway outer portion whereby said threshold member is
attached to said rail with said threshold member and said rail side
edges in mutually opposed relationship;
(f) said flexible hinge members being adapted to allow vertical
displacement of said rails with respect to each other when said
floor mat is walked on;
(g) said flexible hinge members maintaining said rails in uniform,
spaced relation with said floor mat in a flat configuration;
(h) said flexible hinge member webs being adapted to bend
transversely about longitudinal axes thereof whereby said said
floor mat is adapted to be rolled up by folding said rails with
respect to each other.
13. A floor covering consisting of coupled sections, having in
combination
a floor covering section substantially rectangular in plan,
a flange formed at each side edge portion of said section,
each flange having a longitudinal bore therethrough, said bores
respectively having oppositely facing slots,
a coupling member comprising
a pair of closely spaced rods,
a web connecting said rods, said web having a thickness less than
the height of said slots,
said rods respectively being disposed through adjacent pairs of
said slots connecting a pair of said sections, and
a tread surface carried by said sections.
14. The structure of claim 13, including means securing said rods
within said bores preventing relative longitudinal movement
thereof.
15. The structure of claim 13, wherein said web has cut out spaces
therein.
16. The structure of claim 13, wherein said flanges having a
recessed area therebetween, and
a tread including said tread surface disposed into said recessed
area.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention.
This invention relates to floor mats, and in particular to a
roll-up floor mat with rigid rails.
2. Description of the Prior Art.
A variety of grills, grates, grids and mats for floors have been
developed for removing dirt, water and other foreign matter from
the footwear of persons walking thereover. Such devices are
typically placed adjacent the entrances of structures which are
desired to be protected from the intrusion of such foreign
matter.
One type of prior art floor grill or grate is adapted to span a pit
wherein dirt and debris accumulate and has sufficient integral
strength to support persons walking or standing thereon. Such
devices may be comprised, for example, entirely of closely-spaced
metal bars placed over such a pit and substantially flush with a
floor or sidewalk surface. Although such grills are relatively
durable and self-cleaning and thus require little attention, the
hard surfaces thereof are relatively ineffective for removing and
accumulating dirt, water and other foreign matter. Therefore,
various devices have been invented which include tread surfaces of
material selected for their durability and their ability to remove
or retain such foreign matter. For example, the McGeary et al U.S.
Pat. No. 3,783,471 shows a foot grill with replaceable carpet
strips placed on bars maintained in a parallel, spaced relation by
transverse connecting members. Also, a dirt removing grid system
for floors is disclosed in my U.S. Pat. No. 4,276,728 which shows a
plurality of parallel, spaced tread rails with dirt removing upper
surfaces and a connecting system for attaching the rails to
transverse spacer channels. However, such grills and gratings
require substantial pits therebeneath for the accumulation of
foreign matter and also require substantial structures which are
frequently complex and expensive to span such pits. Further, such
grills and gratings are difficult and expensive to add to an
existing building not provided with the necessary pit.
Floor mats are also known which are directly supported by a floor
surface and may either be placed directly thereon or in a slight
recess. However, such floor mats require more frequent cleaning
than the previously described grill and grating systems because
less space is provided for the accumulation of foreign material.
The capacity of such a floor mat to accumulate foreign material is
generally limited by the amounts which may be retained in the tread
material and in the available space adjacent the rails and in the
floor recess. As such spaces fill with dirt, or become saturated
with water, the floor mat tends to lose its ability to clean the
footwear of pedestrians passing thereover. Therefore, periodic
cleaning is necessary to maintain the effectiveness of such floor
mats.
To facilitate the cleaning of such floor mats and the surfaces
thereunder, they are generally removable. Such removal may
frequently be best accomplished by rolling up the floor mat, and
roll-up floor mats are well known in the art. Integral, one-piece
floor mats of an elastomeric material are relatively economical and
may be rolled up for removal. However, the tread surfaces of such
floor mats are generally not replaceable and lack the cleaning
ability of fibrous materials, such as carpet. Also, such one-piece
floor mats lack the strength and durability of those having rigid
rails comprising, for example, brass or aluminum.
The Bartlett U.S. Pat. No. 4,029,834 shows a floor mat with rigid
rails which are hinged to allow the floor mat to be rolled up. A
hinging action between adjacent rails is provided by a ball and
socket fastening system at their respective edges to allow
transverse pivoting therebetween. However, the connecting system
for the rails shown in that patent comprises balls and sockets
which are integral with and of the same rigid material as the rails
and therefore, do not accomodate relative vertical displacement
therebetween for a cushioning effect. Also, fasteners are required
to prevent relative shifting between adjacent rails. Further, along
one side, a different type of rail is required having a socket
configuration along both of its edges to receive a lead-in member,
thereby preventing the use of a single, cross-sectional
configuration for all the rails in that type of floor mat.
Therefore, prior art floor grills, grates and mats have tended to
be relatively ineffective for removal of foreign matter, vulnerable
to extensive wear, or complex to manufacture, necessitating a
relatively high cost to the user.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the present invention, a floor mat is provided
which comprises a plurality of rigid, spaced elongated rails each
having opposite side edges. A passageway extends inwardly from each
side edge and includes an inner portion having a greater
cross-sectional dimension than an outer portion of the passageway.
An elongated hinge member is provided having spaced, opposite
flanges extending longitudinally thereof. The flanges are
interconnected by a web having a thickness less than that of the
flanges. The flanges are each slidably received in a respective
passageway inner portion. The flexible hinge members thereby allow
transverse angular displacement of adjacent rails relative to each
other for rolling up the floor mat of the present invention. The
flexible hinge members also serve to maintain the rails in
closely-spaced, parallel, predetermined position and provide for a
cushioning effect when the floor mat is walked upon by allowing a
limited amount of vertical displacement of the rails relative to
each other. The rigid rails include channels for removably
receiving replaceable carpet strips and include lips extending
inwardly with respect to the channels for retaining the carpet
strips. The rigidity of the elongated rails provides for a
relatively durable floor mat capable of withstanding heavy traffic
conditions. The floor mat of the present invention is adapted for
placement either in a shallow recess in a floor surface with its
upper surface flush therewith or for surface mounting directly on a
floor surface surrounded by tapered threshold members.
Accordingly, the principle objects of the present invention are: to
provide a floor mat adapted to be supported on a floor surface or
in a shallow recess; to provide such a floor mat which may be
rolled up; to provide such a floor mat with rigid, elongated rails;
to provide such a floor mat with flexible hinge members
interconnecting adjacent rails and maintaining same in a
predetermined, close-spaced relationship; to provide such a floor
mat wherein the rails are adapted to removably receive a
replaceable strip of fibrous material; to provide such a floor mat
which provides a cushioning effect when walked on; to provide such
a floor mat with a relatively low profile; to provide such a floor
mat wherein all of the rails have an identical cross-sectional
configuration; and to provide such a floor mat which is economical
to manufacture, efficient in use, comprised of durable materials,
capable of a long operating life, and particularly well adapted for
the proposed use.
Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent
from the following description taken in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings wherein are set forth, by way of illustration
and example, certain embodiments of this invention.
The drawings constitute a part of this specification and include
exemplary embodiments of the present invention and illustrate
various objects and features thereof.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a fragmentary, plan view of a floor mat embodying the
present invention.
FIG. 2 is an enlarged, fragmentary, transverse cross-sectional view
of the floor mat taken generally along line 2--2 in FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary, longitudinal cross-sectional
view of the floor mat taken generally along line 3--3 in FIG.
1.
FIG. 4 is an enlarged, transverse, cross-sectional view of the
floor mat in a rolled-up position.
FIG. 5 is a fragmentary, top plan view of a second embodiment of
the present invention, showing a floor mat placed in a shallow
recess of a floor.
FIG. 6 is an enlarged, fragmentary cross-sectional view of the
floor mat taken generally along line 6--6 in FIG. 5.
FIG. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary, longitudinal cross-sectional
view of the floor mat taken generally along line 7--7 in FIG.
5.
FIG. 8 is an enlarged, transverse cross-sectional view of the floor
mat in a rolled-up position.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are
disclosed herein, however, it is to be understood that the
disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention which
may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural
and functional details disclosed herein, are not to be interpreted
as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a
representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to
variously employ the present invention in virtually any
appropriately detailed structure.
For purposes of description herein, the terms "upper", "lower",
"right", "left", "rear", "front", "vertical", "horizontal", and
derivitives thereof shall relocate to the invention as oriented in
FIG. 3 for the first embodiment and FIG. 7 for the second
embodiment. However, it is to be understood that the invention may
assume various alternative orientations, except where expressly
specified to the contrary.
The reference numeral 1 generally designated a floor mat for
placement on a horizontal plane or support surface 2 comprising,
for example, a floor surface or sidewalk surface. The floor mat 1
comprises a plurality of rigid, elongated rails 3 each displaying a
serrated upper surface 4 and a lower surface 5, opposite side edges
6 and 7, and opposite ends 8 and 9. The rails 3 are preferably
formed by extruding a corrosion resistant metal such as brass or
aluminum, into a desired cross-sectional configuration. Each rail 3
includes passageways 10 opening onto its side edges 6 and 7. The
passageways 10 have T-shaped cross-sectional configurations with
inner portions 11 and outer portions 12. The passageway outer
portions 12 are positioned adjacent respective rail side edges 6
and 7 and have narrower cross-sectional dimensions than respective
passageway inner portions 11. The passageways 10 extend
longitudinally of respective rails 3 and terminate at their ends 8
and 9. The outer portion 12 of each passageway 10 is defined by a
pair of mutually opposed upper and lower ribs 15 and 16 positioned
in parallel, spaced relationship adjacent a respective rail side
edge 6 or 7.
Each adjacent pair of rails 3 is pivotably interconnected by a
respective flexible hinge member 20 positioned therebetween and
extending longitudinally thereof. The hinge members 20 each include
a web 23 with opposite side margins 21 and opposite, spaced flanges
22 integrally connected to the web 23 at the side margins 21. The
web 23 has a cross-sectional thickness substantially less than a
cross-sectional thickness of the flanges 22. As shown in FIG. 2,
the hinge members 20 have horizontal I-shaped cross-sectional
configurations, portions of which correspond to the cross-sectional
configurations of the passageways 10.
The hinge member flanges 22 are each slidably received in a
respective passageway inner portion 11. The web side margins 21 are
slidably received in respective passageway outer portions 12
between respective upper and lower ribs 15 and 16. The hinge
members 20 are thereby each secured to a respective adjacent pair
of rails 3 and function to maintain mutually opposed rail side
edges 6 of adjacent pairs of rails 3 in a predetermined spaced,
relationship. The hinge members 20 preferably comprise a flexible,
resilient material, for example vinyl, whereby the hinge member
webs 23 are adapted to bend transversely about their longitudinal
axes and allow transverse angular displacement of the rails
relative to each other. Because of their relatively narrow
cross-sectional thicknesses, the webs 23 are readily adapted for
such transverse bending as well as for spacing the thicker flanges
22. The flexible material comprising the hinge members 20 is
preferably of a material having a sufficient durometer to resist
buckling whereby the rails 3 are maintained in a predetermined,
spaced relationship, but are sufficiently flexible to allow
transverse bending about their longitudinal axes whereby the floor
mat 1 may be rolled up to a configuration as shown in FIG. 4.
Each hinge member 20 includes a plurality of longitudinally spaced
cut-outs 25 extending through the web 23 thereof and adapted for
allowing dirt, water and other foreign matter to pass therethrough
below the level of the hinge member webs 23. Such foreign matter is
thereby at least partially removed from the hinge member webs 23
and thus prevented from being transferred to the footwear of
persons walking over the floor mat 1.
Each rail 3 includes a channel 30 opening upwardly onto its
serrated upper surface 4 and comprising a bottom surface and a pair
of opposed side walls 32. A pair of lips 33 each extend inwardly in
mutually opposed relationship from respective side walls 32
adjacent respective rail upper surfaces 4 and in spaced relation
from respective channel bottom surfaces 31. A pair of mutually
opposed slots 34 opening inwardly into each channel 30 are thereby
defined by respective side walls 32, lips 33 and the channel bottom
surface 31.
A plurality of strips 40 comprising a fibrous material, for example
carpet, are each removably secured in a respective channel 30 and
extend longitudinally of a respective rail 3. Each strip 40
includes a semi-rigid backing 41 with opposite side edges 42 and a
fiber pile 43. The side edges 42 of each strip backing 41 are
received in the inwardly-opening slots 34 of a respective rail 3.
Preferably, the strip backings 41 are also attached with a suitable
adhesive to respective channel bottom surfaces 31 and with
mechanical fasteners such as rivets 44 extending through the rails
3 and the strip backings 41. Such adhesive should preferably be of
sufficient strength to assist in retaining the strips 40 properly
positioned in respective channels 30, but yet not so strong as to
prevent the removal of the strips 40 for replacement. When each
strip 40 is positioned in a respective channel 30 with its backing
side edges 42 extending into respective channel slots 34, the lips
33 extend partially over the respective backing side edges 42 and
compress the pile 43. The strips 40 are thereby relatively securely
retained in respective channels 30 and are readily removable for
replacement when worn to the extent that they are no longer
effective for removing and retaining foreign matter. The placement
of the strip side edges 42 in respective slots 34 tends to prevent
the carpet strips 40 from working loose and posing a hazard to
persons walking over the floor mat 1. The piles 43 of respective
carpet strips 40 are adapted for providing a brushing-type action
on the footwear of persons walking thereover, thereby removing
water, dirt and other foreign matter therefrom. Also, the piles 43
are adapted for retaining such foreign matter until such time as
the floor mat 1 is cleaned or the strips 40 thereof replaced.
As shown in FIG. 1, the floor mat 1 has a generally rectangular
configuration in plan and is framed by opposite pairs of lengthwise
threshold members 45 and transverse threshold members 46. The
threshold members 45 and 46 each include upper and lower surfaces
47 and 48 respectively, inner and outer edges 49 and 50
respectively, and a pair of opposite mitered ends 53. An extension
51 extends inwardly from the inner edges 49 of each threshold
member 45 and 46 substantially flush with its lower surface 48. As
shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the threshold member upper surfaces 47
slope upwardly from slightly above support surface 2 at their
respective outer edges 50 to a level flush with the rail upper
surfaces 4 at their respective inner edges 49, whereby the
threshold members 45 and 46 have a tapered cross-sectional
configuration. A plurality of spaced grooves 52 extend
longitudinally of and open onto the upper surfaces 47 of the
threshold members 45 and 46. The grooves 52 function to reduce the
likelihood of a person's footwear slipping with respect to the
floor mat 1 and also to remove foreign matter therefrom.
As shown in FIG. 2, each lengthwise threshold member 45 includes a
threshold hinge member 55 extending from the inner edge 49 thereof
and comprising a threshold web 56 and a threshold flange 57. The
threshold hinge member 55 has a T-shaped cross-sectional
configuration corresponding to the cross-sectional configuration of
the passageways 10. The threshold web 56 and flange 57 are slidably
received in inner and outer portions 11 and 12 respectively of
passageways 10 of the outermost rails 3. The side edges 6 of the
outermost rails 3 are thus secured in mutually opposed engagement
with the inner edges 49 of the lengthwise threshold members 45 and
the extensions 51 thereof are positioned under rail lower surfaces
5. With the threshold member extensions 51 thus positioned between
the lower surfaces 5 of the outermost rails 3 and the support
surface 2, the extensions 51 provide a cushioning effect when the
outermost rails 3 are walked on.
Economy in manufacture of the floor mat 1 is provided because the
outermost rails 3 are identified to the others and do not require a
different structure to attach the lengthwise threshold members 45.
All of the rails 3 may thereby be extruded with a single die.
The transverse threshold members 46 are substantially identical to
the lengthwise threshold members 45 except that they lack the
threshold hinge members 55. The extensions 51 of the transverse
threshold members 46 are positioned between the support surface 2
and the rail lower surfaces 5 adjacent their opposite ends 8. As
shown in FIG. 3, the rail opposite ends 8 are positioned in
abutting relationship with respect to the inner edges 49 of the
transverse threshold members 46. The rail opposite ends 8 are
attached to respective transverse threshold member extensions 51 by
rivets 44 which also extend through respective carpet strip
backings 41.
The lengthwise and transverse threshold members 45 and 46
respectively are joined at their respective intersections by miters
joints 59 whereat their mitered ends 53 may be connected in
abutting relationship by any suitable means. The threshold members
45 and 46 thus provide a smooth, slightly inclined transition from
the support surface 2 to the level of the rail upper surfaces 4.
The rivets 58 extend through respective extensions 51, rail ends 8
and strip backings 41 and are adapted for retaining these
together.
The rails 3 each include a pair of lower passageways 65 opening
onto their respective lower surfaces and extending longitudinally
of the rails 3 in parallel, spaced relationship (FIG. 3). The lower
passageways 65 are each adapted to slidably receive a respective
elongated cushion 66 therein which projects below the rail lower
surface 5 and functions to space and cushion the rail 3 with
respect to the support surface 2. The elongated cushions 66
preferably comprise a durable, resilient material such as
vinyl.
In operation, the floor mat 1 may be placed adjacent the entrance
to a building in a location where persons entering same will walk
over it. The floor mat 1 of the present invention provides a
variety of means for removing and retaining dirt, water and other
foreign matter from the footwear of persons walking thereover. The
piles 43 of the carpet strips 40 are adapted for providing a
brushing-type action with respect to such footwear and will retain
a significant amount of such foreign matter. The grooves 13 of the
rails 3 and the threshold member grooves 52 also provide
receptacles for such foreign matter. Further, dirt, water and other
matter may fall between the rail side edges 6 and thence through
the cut-outs 25 to the support surface 2.
The flexible hinge members 20, the threshold members 45 and 46, the
elongated cushions 66 and the carpet strips 40 cooperate to provide
a cushioning effect of the floor mat 1 when walked on. This
cushioning effect, in addition to making the floor mat 1 more
comfortable to walk on, also facilitates its cleaning functions
because the various elements thereof are allowed to displace
vertically with respect to each other. For example, the rigid rails
3 may oscillate vertically and somewhat indepently with respect to
each other because the hinge members connecting same are flexible
to allow such vertical displacement. As the rails 3 displace
vertically, the piles 43 of the carpet strips 40 tend to brush the
footwear of a person walking thereover, thereby increasing the
cleaning efficiency of the floor mat 1. Further, the aforementioned
flexible elements of the floor mat 1 are adapted to withstand and
absorb the shock of not only normal pedestrian traffic, but also of
a person stamping his feet thereon to remove foreign matter from
his footwear.
The roll-up feature of floor mat 1 provides for easy removal
thereof from the support surface 2, thereby facilitating cleaning
and storage. For example, when the floor mat 1 becomes saturated
with foreign matter such that it no longer cleans footwear, it may
be rolled up and removed to a remote location for cleaning. Also,
the floor mat 1 or portions thereof may be rolled up to facilitate
cleaning the support surface 2 thereunder. Installation of the
floor mat 1 is facilitated because the roll-up feature thereof
allows floor mats 1 of virtually any desired dimensions to be
assembled elsewhere and easily transported to and placed in a
desired position adjacent the entrance to a structure.
The rigidity of the elongated rails 3 contributes to the
effectiveness of the floor mat 1 because they are capable of
withstanding heavy traffic and use for extended periods of time.
Further, they provide a necessary means for retaining the carpet
strips 40, which may be replaced when worn out thereby further
contributing to the longevity of the floor mat 1. Further, the
rigid rails are maintained in a predetermined, spaced relationship
by the hinge members 20 whereby narrow heals of persons walking
over the floor mat 1 are prevented from being entrapped between the
rails 3. The floor mat 1 presents a relatively low profile above
the support surface 2 thereby reducing the likelihood of a person
tripping thereon.
The reference number 101 generally designates a floor mat
comprising a second embodiment of the present invention and
recessed into a support surface 102. The floor mat 101 comprises a
plurality of rigid, elongated rails 103 each having an upper and a
lower surface 4 and 5 respectively, opposite side edges 6 and
opposite ends 8. Each rail 103 includes a pair of passageways 110
extending longitudinally thereof and having an inner portion 111
and an outer portion 112 adjacent a respective rail side edge 106.
Each rail 103 includes a plurality of spaced, elongated grooves 113
opening onto its upper surface 104. Each rail 103 includes an upper
and a lower rib 115 and 116 extending longitudinally in mutually
opposed relationship adjacent its respective side edges 106, each
pair of upper and lower ribs 115 and 116 forming a respective
passageway outer portion 112 therebetween.
Each pair of adjacent rails 103 are interconnected by a respective
hinge member 120 having a web 123 with side margins 121 extending
therealong and a pair of elongated, opposite flanges 122 each
extending along a respective web side margin 121, the flanges 122
being interconnected by and integrally connected to the web 123.
Each hinge member 120 includes a plurality of longitudinally spaced
cut-outs 125 extending through the web thereof.
Each rail 103 includes a shallow channel 130 extending
longitudinally thereof and opening onto the rail upper surface 104.
The channels 130 are each defined by a respective bottom surface
and a pair of opposite side walls with a pair of mutually opposed
lips 133 extending inwardly therefrom and forming a pair of
opposite slots 134 opening inwardly into the channel 130.
Each shallow channel 130 includes a carpet strip 140 comprising a
semi-rigid backing 141, opposite side edges 142 and a fibrous pile
143 removably retained therein. The semi-rigid backing side edges
142 are each received in a respective slot 134 and extend under
respective lips 133 which partially compress the carpet strip pile
143, thereby preventing the carpet strip backing side edges 142
from pulling loose. The carpet strips 140 are also secured to the
rails 103 within channels 130 by means of rivets 144 extending
through the carpet backing 141 and respective rails 103, the rivets
144 engaging respective rail lower surfaces 105.
A pair of lengthwise threshold members 145 each extend
longitudinally of the floor mat 101 adjacent the opposite outermost
rails 103. Each lengthwise threshold member 145 displays upper and
lower surfaces 147 and 148 respectively, inner and outer edges 149
and 150 respectively, and an extension 151, and grooves 152 opening
onto its upper surface 147. As shown in FIG. 3, a threshold hinge
member 155 extends longitudinally of each threshold member inner
edge 149 and projects therefrom. Each threshold hinge member
includes a threshold web 156 and a threshold flange 157 attached
thereto. The threshold hinge members 155 are each adapted to be
slidaly received in a respective rail passageway 110 with the
threshold webs 156 in the passageway outer portions 112 and the
threshold flanges 157 in the passageway inner portions 111, whereby
the outermost rail side edges 106 engage respective threshold
member inner edges 149 in mutually opposed relationship.
Each rail 103 includes a pair of spaced lower passageways 165
extending longitudinally thereof and opening onto the rail lower
surface 105. An elongated cushion 166 is slidably received in each
respective lower passageway 165 and protrudes from a respective
rail lower surface 105 (FIG. 6).
The floor mat 101 is adapted to be removably received in a shallow
recess 159 with a bottom surface 160 in the support surface 102. A
frame 161 is fixedly positioned in the recess 159 and is preferably
anchored to the support surface 102 by mechanical fasteners, such
as the anchor bolts 162 as shown. The the frame 161 with the anchor
bolts 162 attached thereto is preferably placed in a predetermined
position prior to constructing the support surface 102 by, for
example, pouring concrete around the frame 161 and the anchor bolts
162. The frame 161 displays inner edges 164 and upper edges 163
substantially flush with the support surface 102.
With the floor mat 101 placed within the recess 159, the threshold
member outer edges 150 and the rail ends 108 abut the frame inner
edges 164 in mutually opposed relationship (FIGS. 6 and 7). The
elongated cushions 164 function to space the rail lower surfaces
105 above the recess bottom surface 160 and cushion the floor mat
101. The threshold member upper surfaces 147 are positioned
substantially flush with the frame upper edges 163 and the support
surface 102. The carpet strip piles 143 project slightly above the
level of the support surface 102, the threshold member upper
surface 147, and the rail upper surfaces 104, thereby providing a
brushing action on the footwear of persons walking over the floor
mat 101.
The floor mat 101 functions in a substantially similar manner to
the previously described embodiment of the present invention, the
floor mat 1. The floor mat 101 may likewise be easily removed from
the recess 159 by rolling it up to a configuration as shown in FIG.
8, with the hinge members 120 bending transversely about their
longitudinal axes to allow transverse angular displacement between
adjacent pairs of the rails 103.
It is to be understood that while I have illustrated and described
certain forms of my invention, it is not to be limited to the
specific forms or arrangement of parts herein described and
shown.
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